Mason Miller's Historic Scoreless Streak Dies on a Foul Ball Nobody Can Agree On

San Diego's closer had the eighth-longest relief scoreless streak since 1961 snapped Monday night, and the way it ended has everyone in the stadium arguing about what they just saw.

Mason Miller's team-record streak of 34 2/3 scoreless innings dating back to last season came to an end in the Padres' 9-7 victory over the Cubs, but the finish was absolutely brutal. Cubs leadoff batter Matt Shaw hit a squibber down the third base line that looked foul to about everyone watching, but home-plate umpire Dan Merzel and third-base umpire Shane Livensparger saw it differently. They ruled the ball was still in fair territory when Padres infielder Ty France picked it up, and that was that. The play was non-reviewable.

The Call Nobody Wanted to Make

Here's the thing: a streak like Miller's doesn't just vanish. It ends on some contact, some play, some moment that sticks with you. And yeah, this one will stick. Baseball is a game of inches, which means it's also a game of complete heartbreak when the umpire standing 90 feet away sees something the rest of the park didn't.

"The call is what it is," Miller said after the game. "I thought I saw something different, but he was a lot closer than I was. And I think everybody in the stadium had an opinion, but ultimately it's only his that matters."

What's Next for the Padres' Bullpen

The Padres won the game anyway, which at least softens the blow a little. But Miller's streak ending on a controversial call in April is the kind of thing that sticks with a closer heading into the rest of the season. The eighth-longest relief scoreless streak since 1961 is a historic accomplishment. Losing it this way? That's the part everyone will remember.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.